There are many reasons why your Chihuahua may not be eating. Chihuahua is a picky eater. Chihuahua is a dog that requires a lot of attention and care. If you notice that your chihuahua is not eating, please get in touch with the veterinarian immediately for further consultation.
Loss of appetite in dogs can happen for a number of reasons, including change of surroundings, behavior issues, vaccination in the recent time, upset stomach, dental disease, blockage, or other illnesses.
When you notice that your chihuahua is no longer interested in food, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. This could be an indicator that they are sick and require medical attention. You can also take some steps at home, and natural appetite stimulants for dogs not eating will help encourage your little one to eat again!
There are many different kibbles and canned food brands on the market today, but not all of them are created equal! Here are a few of our top recommendations for Chihuahua owners:
Why Is My Chihuahua Not Eating?
There can be several reasons why your chihuahua is not eating. Chihuahuas are small dogs that are picky eaters. These dogs can show some signs of not eating their food at times.
It might worry you if you are an owner that sees your furry friend troubled. Here are some reasons that may help you understand why your chihuahua is not eating.
Change of Surrounding
If your chihuahua is not eating, there’s a chance that something has made it anxious. For example, the fish tank in the living room was displaced to another area of the house, and now your pet is worried about it.
Also, new people in the home, such as guests or babysitters, might scare your dog. Keep in mind that dogs do not like change. If you find out why your dog is stressed, it will help to know why he is not eating.
Behavior Issues
Another potential cause of chihuahua not eating up to their usual amount is behavioral issues. There are times when dogs have been known to display strange behaviors such as apparent fear or insecurity for some kind of reason.
If your pet gets too nervous due to anxiety, this can be seen as his fear of approaching strangers or even from sudden loud noises from outside the house.
These kinds of behavioral changes may signal if your pet isn’t eating, and they show aggressiveness instead. Also, if a new person is staying in the home or even a new pet, this might add to the problem.
Recent Vaccination
If your chihuahua recently had a vaccination, this can be another possible cause. Whether it’s a yearly vaccine or not, some dogs tend to get stressed after having a shot from the vet.
The stress of going to an unfamiliar place and being around people they don’t know is a bit too much for them. Also, they may feel pain during the process, thus causing them not to eat any more that day or following days until the recovery happens.
Dental Disease
There are times when mouth problems happen, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, and other dental-related illnesses, such as teeth infection due to gingivitis which affects how dogs eat.
Upset Stomach
A few upset stomachs, such as diarrhea and vomiting, make dogs not want to eat either. If your canine is dealing with this, it may be hard for him to eat anything to ease the pain and cause weakness.
Blockage or Other Illnesses
Another potential cause of chihuahua not eating is an illness that obstructs the digestive system and even other organs within their body.
If your pet has a blockage due to constipation, there’s a possibility that there’s something stuck inside his intestine or another organ, such as their bladder, which can also lead to them not wanting to eat. When you know what the problem is making your pup not want food, it can help you deal with the situation.
When Should You Take Your Chihuahua To The Vet If It Is Not Eating?
You should take your chihuahua to the vet if they are not eating for more than three days or if their stomach is bloated.
Also, you need to know that puppies under six months of age should be taken to a veterinarian at any time during this period because they are too young to fully understand what’s happening to them and why they cannot eat because of an illness or pain.
What Are The Appetite Stimulants for Chihuahua Who Is Not Eating?
There are some stimulants available in pet stores that can make your canine feel hungry again after having been vomiting or having diarrhea.
Flavor
The best way to boost your pet’s appetite is by using a “flavor” as an appetizer for them. Even though it sounds cheesy, you can give them small pieces of food with some flavor, such as cheese, tuna fish, chicken liver, or anything they like. You can also make their old kibble wet by mixing water in it and warming it up for about two minutes in the microwave.
Small Pieces Of Food
You can try breaking up their dry kibble into smaller pieces of food about the size of rice grains since this is something that will not be too difficult for them to swallow.
Moreover, you might even want to consider giving only half the amount of food your pet normally takes in a sitting to start off until you see that they’re willing to eat more.
Wet Food
When your canine is not eating, wetting the kibble may be an option for them to get their taste buds working again. If you can’t give them whole wet food because it’s too much work or having to stay home and feed them this way, try giving them half dry and half wet food at first.
Stimulants
Some veterinarians also recommend using stimulants like Pedialyte, Gatorade powder, or even ice cubes made out of chicken broth to make your pets want to eat since it stimulates the appetite and makes their stomachs feel full faster than before. Other things like canned fish and mashed vegetables should also be given.
Essential Oils
Other essential oils can encourage your dog to eat as well, such as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, vanilla extract, or lavender which you can put on top of their food. Another option is to mix it with Pedialyte, the same as ice cubes made from chicken broth.
This way is easier since you don’t have to worry about them having too much peppermint in one sitting because the Pedialyte will take it away when they drink it. You can always ask your vet if this method is okay for your pet before doing so.
My Chihuahua Only Eats When I Hand Feed It. What Should I Do?
When your chihuahua refuses to eat on its own, you can try hand feeding them as a way to encourage their appetite so they will eat again.
Train Your Chihuahua
If you have been feeding them by putting some kibble in their bowl and letting them have it, then this is the time you should crawl around on the floor with them every day until they feel better and start eating once more.
Use Tiny Bowl
If your canine doesn’t take food from the bowl, then put it into a small container that they cannot resist such as a plastic bag or just a tiny metal box that’s light enough for them to carry around.
Use Stimulation
This way, it might be easier for him to get their paws on something that smells good enough for him to eat it. If not, then just keep putting the food into the container until they nibble on it because at least they are eating something.
Mix Dry Kibble With Wet Ones
You can also try mixing their dry kibble with some wet food to make them feel better about eating again. Moreover, you could also use a syringe to squirt some water directly into their mouth or put ice cubes inside of it for them to lick off of the side.
This will give them something cold and tasty that makes them want more which is perfect if you’re trying to get over diarrhea or vomiting phase.
Consult With Your Vet
If you have tried all these methods but still cannot get your chihuahua’s appetite up, you should see your vet as soon as possible so he can prescribe you an appetite stimulant to help your pet feel better.
My Chihuahua Only Eats A Certain Kind Of Food. Should I Feed It Only That?
You should never feed your chihuahua only one particular type of food, especially when he is not eating well. As strange as it may seem, trying to force eat a certain kind of food could cause problems such as diarrhea or vomiting since your canine’s system might reject the new food because his body isn’t used to it. This can lead to dehydration and other health issues that you don’t want for them.
Should I Feed My Chihuahua If It Is Not Eating?
This depends on why your dog is not eating in the first place. The longer they go without food, then the more important it becomes for you to start looking into getting them help from a vet or at least feeding them something else while you wait. Don’t just let your dog waste away when there are ways you can get them to eat again without harming them in any way.
FAQ
Is There Such Thing As A Chihuahua That Never Eats?
There isn’t such thing as a chihuahua that never eats because they are very active dogs, especially when it comes time for them to play around.
If they aren’t eating, then chances are they might have something wrong with their digestive system. This is another reason you should take them to the vet immediately. If this is what’s happening with them, you know how best to treat them before it gets worse.
What Happens When A Chihuahua Eats Too Fast?
When chihuahuas eat too fast, they are more prone to getting choked. This is often because their jaws are not strong enough to hold onto something larger than what their mouth can normally take in. Be sure your pet doesn’t run around when he has a piece of food in his mouth.
Otherwise, he could swallow too much air. They become nauseous or throw up all over the place, meaning you should pick him up if you notice that happening.
Why Is My Chihuahua So Picky About Food?
Picky eaters are usually chihuahuas that you spoil for longer periods of time with different kinds of food without knowing what’s best for them. Many owners do this because they don’t want to risk their canine not eating. So they try giving them whatever they want. This is a mistake because it can actually lead them to become pickier with each passing day. It will make your life harder in the long run.
Conclusion
If they are suffering from something at the moment, they may refuse their food because of their upset stomach. It can also sometimes be after their vaccinations to keep from getting sick.
You should take them to the vet if they are not eating for over 3 straight days or more or experiencing some other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. There could be something wrong with them that you don’t know about, so it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?
You can do things to stimulate their appetite, such as giving them wet food or putting some essential oil on top of their kibble. You can also try hand feeding your pet, mixing dry kibble with something moist, and/or letting him play around with a little container full of his favorite foods. (If he has one) until he eats everything off of it.
If my article was long enough to answer your question thoroughly, don’t hesitate to save it so as not to lose any valuable info. Have a wonderful day ahead!
